Mastering IELTS Speaking: How to Ace the “Describe a Time When You Helped Someone Move to a New Place” Topic

Moving to a new place can be both exciting and challenging. This topic is frequently featured in IELTS Speaking tests, particularly in Part 2, as it allows candidates to demonstrate their ability to narrate past experiences and express emotions. Given its relevance to everyday life, examiners often use this theme to assess a candidate’s language proficiency and communication skills.

IELTS Speaking Exam Preparation

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about moving or helping others. Here are some possible questions and sample answers:

1. Have you ever helped someone move house?

   Sample answer (Band 7-8): “Yes, I have. In fact, I recently helped my best friend relocate to a new apartment across town. It was quite an experience, as we had to coordinate the packing, transportation, and unpacking of all her belongings. It was tiring but ultimately rewarding to see her settled in her new home.”

2. Do you think it’s important to help friends when they move?

   Sample answer (Band 8-9): “Absolutely. I believe that lending a hand during such a significant life event not only demonstrates the strength of the friendship but also alleviates the stress and workload for the person moving. It’s an opportunity to show support and create lasting memories together.”

Part 2: Long Turn

Cue Card:

Describe A Time When You Helped Someone Move To A New Place.

You should say:

• Who you helped
• Where they moved to
• What kind of help you provided
• And explain how you felt about helping them

Sample Answer (Band 6-7):

“I’d like to talk about the time I helped my cousin move to her new apartment in the city center. She had just gotten a job there and needed assistance with the relocation process.

I helped her pack her belongings, which took a whole day. We used boxes and bags to organize everything. Then, on moving day, I helped carry the boxes to the moving truck and unload them at the new place. I also assisted in arranging furniture and unpacking some essential items.

Helping her made me feel good. It was tiring work, but seeing her happy in her new home was rewarding. I felt like I had done something useful for a family member, which strengthened our bond.”

Sample Answer (Band 8-9):

“I’d like to recount an experience when I assisted my colleague, Sarah, in relocating to a newly developed residential area on the outskirts of our city. Sarah had recently been promoted and decided to move closer to our workplace to reduce her commute time.

My involvement in her move was quite comprehensive. Initially, I helped her meticulously plan and organize her belongings, categorizing items for packing, donation, or disposal. On the day of the move, I coordinated with the moving company, ensuring that fragile items were handled with care. I also took charge of setting up her new home office, as I knew how crucial it was for her work.

The most challenging aspect was helping Sarah navigate the emotional process of leaving her old neighborhood. I provided emotional support by listening to her concerns and highlighting the positive aspects of her new location.

Assisting Sarah in this significant life change was an incredibly fulfilling experience. It gave me a profound sense of satisfaction to see her settle into her new home with ease. Moreover, it strengthened our professional relationship, fostering a deeper sense of camaraderie. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of lending a helping hand during pivotal moments in someone’s life.”

Helping a Friend Move to a New Home

Follow-up Questions:

1. What challenges did you face while helping your friend move?

   Sample answer (Band 8-9): “The primary challenge was managing the logistics of the move efficiently. We had to coordinate multiple aspects simultaneously, such as ensuring the moving truck arrived on time, carefully handling delicate items, and maintaining an inventory to prevent loss. Additionally, helping my friend cope with the emotional aspect of leaving their familiar surroundings was a subtle yet significant challenge that required empathy and patience.”

2. How has this experience changed your perspective on moving?

   Sample answer (Band 8-9): “This experience has profoundly altered my perception of the moving process. I now view it not just as a physical relocation, but as a holistic life transition that affects one’s emotional and social spheres. It has heightened my appreciation for the importance of a support system during such transitions and made me more aware of the psychological impact of changing one’s living environment.”

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Examiner: Let’s discuss the broader implications of helping others move. Do you think society has become more or less helpful in assisting others with moving?

Sample answer (Band 7-8): “I believe that in many ways, society has become more helpful when it comes to assisting with moves. With the rise of social media and community apps, it’s easier than ever to reach out for help or offer assistance. Many people are willing to lend a hand, whether it’s through online forums where people share moving tips or community groups where neighbors help each other. However, in some urban areas, the sense of community might be less strong, which could make it harder to find help.”

Sample answer (Band 8-9): “This is an intriguing question that requires a nuanced response. On one hand, technological advancements have facilitated more efficient ways of assisting others with moving. Online platforms and apps dedicated to connecting people for such purposes have proliferated, making it easier to find help or volunteer assistance. This digital connectivity has, in some ways, fostered a culture of mutual aid that transcends traditional community boundaries.

Conversely, the increasing pace of modern life and the trend towards individualism in many societies might have reduced the likelihood of spontaneous, neighborly assistance. The transient nature of urban living often results in weaker community ties, potentially making people less inclined to help strangers or casual acquaintances with such a significant task.

However, I believe that crises often bring out the best in communities, as evidenced by the surge in mutual aid initiatives during the recent global pandemic. This suggests that the potential for societal helpfulness remains strong, even if it manifests differently than in the past.

Ultimately, while the methods and motivations for helping others move may have evolved, I would argue that the fundamental human impulse to assist others during significant life changes remains intact, adapting to new social and technological contexts.”

Community Support on Moving Day

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

1. Meticulously plan /məˈtɪkjələsli plæn/ (adverb + verb): To plan something very carefully and precisely.
   Example: “We meticulously planned each step of the moving process to ensure nothing was overlooked.”

2. Coordinate /kəʊˈɔːdɪneɪt/ (verb): To organize different elements to enable them to work together effectively.
   Example: “I had to coordinate with the movers, my friend, and her family to ensure a smooth moving day.”

3. Profound sense of satisfaction /prəˈfaʊnd sens əv sætɪsˈfækʃn/ (phrase): A deep feeling of contentment or fulfillment.
   Example: “Helping my friend settle into her new home gave me a profound sense of satisfaction.”

4. Navigate the emotional process /ˈnævɪɡeɪt ðə ɪˈməʊʃənl ˈprəʊses/ (phrase): To guide or help someone through a difficult emotional experience.
   Example: “It was challenging to help my friend navigate the emotional process of leaving her childhood home.”

5. Foster a deeper sense of camaraderie /ˈfɒstər ə ˈdiːpər sens əv ˌkæməˈrɑːdəri/ (phrase): To encourage or develop a stronger feeling of friendship and mutual trust.
   Example: “Working together on such a personal task helped foster a deeper sense of camaraderie between us.”

Describe a time when you had to learn something difficult can be another challenging topic in IELTS Speaking. The skills you develop in describing complex experiences will also be useful for that topic.

Examiner’s Advice

To excel in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly on topics like helping someone move, focus on the following:

1. Use a variety of vocabulary: Incorporate synonyms and idiomatic expressions to demonstrate your language range.

2. Provide specific details: Instead of general statements, give concrete examples that paint a vivid picture of your experience.

3. Show emotional depth: Discuss not just what you did, but how you felt and why. This demonstrates emotional intelligence and advanced language skills.

4. Practice coherent storytelling: Ensure your narrative flows logically from one point to the next, using appropriate linking words and phrases.

5. Reflect on the experience: In Part 3, be prepared to discuss broader implications and abstract ideas related to the topic.

Remember, describing a time when you took care of someone who was sick requires similar skills in narrating personal experiences and expressing empathy, which can be valuable practice for this topic as well.

By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your performance in the IELTS Speaking test. Good luck with your preparation!